Minnesota archbishop asks for forgiveness

EDINA, Minn. (AP) — The Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis is asking Catholics for forgiveness, saying he’s sorry that he’s overlooked the issue of clergy sex abuse.

Archbishop John Nienstedt delivered his apology during two Masses at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, saying parishioners justifiably feel indignation and deserve better.

After the early Mass, Nienstedt told reporters he thought the problem was taken care of when he became head of the Twin Cities archdiocese seven years ago, and that he didn’t think he needed to worry about it. He says he should have investigated it more than he did.

Nienstedt says he was as surprised as anyone else in September when news started breaking of issues of clergy sexual misconduct in the archdiocese.